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NXT Stand & Deliver

NXT Stand & Deliver is an annual premium live event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for its NXT developmental brand, featuring championship matches and high-stakes bouts among NXT superstars. Established in 2021, it serves as NXT's marquee show during WrestleMania weekend, showcasing emerging talent in intense, story-driven competitions that often propel wrestlers toward the main roster. The event has evolved from a two-night TakeOver special to a single-night spectacle, drawing record crowds and highlighting NXT's athletic prowess with ladder matches, fatal four-ways, and title defenses across men's, women's, and tag team divisions. The inaugural NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver took place on April 7 and 8, 2021, at the WWE Performance Center's Capitol Wrestling Center in , marking the first two-night in NXT history. Night 1 featured defending the against , while Night 2 culminated in an Unsanctioned Match between and , alongside dethroning Io Shirai for the . Subsequent editions have expanded the event's scope, with each installment held in major arenas and focusing on NXT's evolving roster. The following table enumerates the key details of all Stand & Deliver events to date: Stand & Deliver has become synonymous with NXT's commitment to innovative match types and breakout performances, often serving as a launchpad for stars like , , and to transition to WWE's main brands. Broadcast on Peacock and the , the event underscores NXT's role in cultivating the next generation of wrestling talent through rigorous competition and compelling narratives.

History

Inception as NXT TakeOver

In early 2021, amid ongoing adjustments to WWE's NXT brand during the , which had confined most events to the since March 2020, NXT General Manager announced the inaugural : Stand & Deliver on the March 10 episode of NXT. This special event was positioned as a WrestleMania-week highlight to elevate NXT's visibility, coinciding with broader programming shifts such as the brand's move to nights on starting April 13. The decision for a two-night format marked the first such structure in history, allowing for an expanded card of 12 matches across April 7 and 8 to fully highlight ongoing storylines and mimic the scale of , while accommodating the packed schedule. Due to pandemic-related restrictions, the event was held at the Capitol Wrestling Center within the in , with production adapted for a limited live audience of around 500 fans per night, seated behind plexiglass barriers for safety. It aired live on Peacock in the United States—marking the first WWE premium live event on the platform—and on the internationally, starting at 8 p.m. ET each night, with pre-shows streamed beforehand. This setup later evolved into the standalone NXT Stand & Deliver tradition following NXT's rebranding in September 2021.

Rebranding and annual tradition

In September 2021, rebranded its NXT division as NXT 2.0, reverting it to a primary developmental territory emphasizing the cultivation of younger, less experienced wrestlers for future main roster integration. This shift prompted the discontinuation of the series, which had served as the brand's signature premium event format since 2014, in favor of new standalone premium live events designed to highlight developmental progress. The inaugural Stand & Deliver in 2021, structured as a two-night event under the TakeOver banner, provided the foundational model for this evolution into an independent showcase. Beginning with the 2022 edition, Stand & Deliver transitioned to a single-night format to better align with NXT 2.0's streamlined weekly programming and developmental priorities, allowing for more focused storytelling and talent evaluation. The event became an annual tradition, consistently scheduled on the same day as Night 1 with an early afternoon start time of 1:00 p.m. ET, positioning it as a pre- highlight that builds anticipation without conflicting with the flagship show. Production for Stand & Deliver evolved significantly post-pandemic, moving to major live arenas accommodating full crowds, which boosted attendance figures and enhanced mainstream visibility for NXT's rising stars. This setup enabled larger-scale spectacles, with events drawing record-breaking turnouts that underscored the brand's growing appeal. WWE's overarching strategy with the event treats NXT as a direct pipeline to and the main roster, using Stand & Deliver to spotlight promising developmental talent and accelerate pathways for call-ups.

Events

2021 event

The inaugural : Stand & Deliver was a two-night event produced by for its NXT brand, held on April 7 and 8, 2021, at the Capitol Wrestling Center within the in . This marked the first NXT premium live event integrated into week, aligning with on April 10–11. Due to ongoing protocols, the event featured a limited invited audience, larger than previous NXT shows but still significantly reduced compared to pre-pandemic capacities to ensure safety. Night 1 showcased emerging talents and high-stakes title defenses, headlined by Raquel González challenging Io Shirai for the . González, a dominant powerhouse, overcame Shirai's aerial prowess and resilience to secure the victory via at 12:58, capturing her first singles title in and shifting the women's division landscape. A notable highlight was the triple threat match, where newcomers MSK ( and ) defeated defending champions ( and ) and The , winning the titles with their high-flying teamwork in 15:24 to establish themselves as rising stars. Night 2 intensified the action with brutal confrontations, culminating in the long-awaited Unsanctioned match between and , rivals from stable. The 40-minute hardcore bout, filled with weapons, submissions, and personal animosity, ended with O'Reilly forcing Cole to submit via armbar, conclusively ending their multi-year feud and evoking a sense of transition for NXT's era veterans. Earlier, reclaimed the from in 17:09, solidifying his monstrous presence. The event received widespread acclaim for its match quality and storytelling, with reviewers rating it 9/10 overall for delivering explosive, physically demanding performances that highlighted NXT's talent depth. Standouts included the hard-hitting vs. NXT UK Championship defense on Night 1, praised for its brutality and endurance at ****1/2 stars. The limited but enthusiastic crowd added to the electric atmosphere, contributing to the event's reputation as a memorable capstone amid the pandemic era.

2022 event

The 2022 NXT Stand & Deliver was the second iteration of the event and the first held following the rebranding of WWE's NXT developmental brand, taking place on April 2, 2022, at the in , . This marked NXT's return to a full-capacity arena environment outside the , accommodating a live audience after the limited crowds of the prior year due to restrictions. Following the 2021 event's two-night format at the with limited audience due to protocols, the 2022 show condensed into a single evening to align with Weekend, emphasizing high-stakes title defenses and emerging talents. The card highlighted key storylines in NXT's roster evolution, particularly Bron Breakker's rapid ascent as a dominant powerhouse, leveraging his Steiner family wrestling heritage in his challenge for the . In the main event, NXT Champion , accompanied by Robert Roode, retained the title against Breakker via pinfall following a Zig Zag, aided by Roode's interference with a steel chair. The women's division featured prominently, with NXT Women's Champion defending in a fatal four-way match against , , and Io Shirai; Rose secured the victory by submitting Jade with a modified Cloverleaf, solidifying her reign amid rising challengers like the young, aggressive Jade. Other notable bouts included Raquel Gonzalez and reuniting to defeat for the , and capturing the in a . The event drew approximately 3,713 tickets distributed, reflecting a modest but enthusiastic crowd for NXT's arena comeback. It streamed live on Peacock in the United States starting at 1:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with 38's Night 1, which underscored NXT's positioning as a complementary premium live event within WWE's ecosystem. This edition symbolized NXT's post-pandemic revitalization, spotlighting Breakker's potential as a future main roster mainstay despite the loss, while advancing narratives around crossover stars like Ziggler and the brand's next-generation competitors.

2023 event

The 2023 NXT Stand & Deliver took place on April 1, 2023, at the in , . The event commenced at 1:00 p.m. ET, scheduled to align with Night 1 on the same day. It drew an attendance of 7,584 spectators. The card emphasized ongoing championship storylines, including defenses and introductions of high-stakes formats to showcase emerging talents. A key highlight was the ladder match, featuring defending against , , , , and , which won by retrieving the title belt. In the tag team division, retained the NXT Tag Team Championships in a triple threat match against and The Family, demonstrating the faction's dominance through strategic teamwork. The main event pitted NXT Champion against for the , building on Breakker's reign that began with his title win at the 2022 event. Hayes emerged victorious by hitting his finisher, Nothing But Net, following interference from his ally , who distracted Breakker and prevented a attempt. This outcome marked Hayes' first reign and heightened tensions in their alliance, setting the stage for Hayes' evolving . The result elevated Hayes as a central figure in NXT while concluding Breakker's dominant run, underscoring the brand's focus on intense rivalries and surprise elements.

2024 event

The 2024 edition of NXT Stand & Deliver took place on April 6, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center in , . The event streamed live on Peacock beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET, positioned as a lead-in to Night 1 held later that evening in the same city. It attracted a record 16,545 attendees, surpassing previous NXT premium live events. Central to the card was the non-title main event grudge match between and , which served as the payoff to their year-long betrayal storyline. The feud stemmed from their alliance during Hayes' win over at Stand & Deliver 2023, culminating in Hayes turning on his longtime ally after Williams' title loss to Oba Femi at Day in February 2024. Williams secured the victory via pinfall following a high-stakes exchange, positioning him for a future championship pursuit and closing a chapter on their fractured partnership. Additional highlights included capturing the from in a technically proficient bout, marking Perez's return to the top of the division after a year of midcard contention. The event also featured international representation through matches like NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov's successful defense against and Oba Femi's retention of the North American Championship in a triple threat against Dijak and . The NXT Women's North American Championship was announced during the event. Critics lauded the show for its emotional depth, particularly the Williams-Hayes rivalry, which exemplified NXT's growing focus on character arcs amid athletic showcases. While the main event delivered narrative highs, described the overall in-ring quality as consistently strong but more TV-caliber than elite, with the women's title change standing out for its execution.

2025 event

The 2025 edition of NXT Stand & Deliver took place on April 19, 2025, at the in . The event, which served as the kickoff to 41 weekend, began streaming live on Peacock at 1:00 p.m. ET and drew approximately 7,000 attendees, marking NXT's largest crowd on the to date. The card featured several championship matches highlighting NXT's top talents. In the NXT Women's Championship Fatal 4-Way, champion defended successfully against Giulia, Jaida Parker, and , retaining via pinfall after a competitive bout that showcased international flair and high athleticism. Ricky Saints retained the NXT North American Championship against in a hard-fought singles match, solidifying his reign with a decisive finisher. and ( and ) captured the NXT Tag Team Championships from defending champions ( and ), marking a breakthrough for the unlikely duo through power-based teamwork. The main event featured NXT Champion Oba Femi defending his title against and Je'Von Evans in a triple threat match, with Femi retaining the championship via pinfall after a high-intensity sequence that highlighted his dominant reign. This bout showcased Femi's power-based offense against Williams' technical prowess—stemming from his 2024 championship victory and subsequent pursuit of the title—and Evans' emergence as a resilient , tying into ongoing NXT storylines of talent elevation. The multi-competitor format emphasized broader exposure for NXT's rising stars, contributing to the event's role in building momentum for the brand during WWE's flagship weekend.

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